Opened in 2011 on the 20th anniversary of Macedonian independence, the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Statehood and Independence to give it its full name charts the long and often painful history of the nation as it sought to seek its own sovereignty from the period of Ottoman occupation through to 1991. Composed of 13 separate rooms focusing on different aspects of the struggle, the museum is packed with fascinating artefacts, documents and weapons and also features a collection of wax models representing some of the most important heroes of the period. Visitors are guided through the exhibition by a group of young and friendly local historians.